In her time with NASA, former astronaut Nicole Stott marked a lot of milestones. She’s flown on two spaceflights and spent more than 100 days working and living aboard the International Space Station. She’s spacewalked, crewed the final flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery and became the first person to fly the robotic arm to capture a free-flying HTV cargo vehicle. Earning the moniker The Artistic Astronaut, Stott was also the first astronaut to paint in space, an experience that sparked a second career post-NASA. Returning to her Florida roots as the 2017 Ringling College Commencement Speaker, Stott took a moment with SRQ to talk the difficulties of painting in space but also why it’s important.

SRQ: How did your time as an astronaut lead to painting? Stott: To look back on the Earth from space—that is certainly a ‘wow’ moment and it never stops being that. I knew even before I flew that when I finally retired from NASA, I would want a unique way of sharing the experience. There’s so much about it that we need to communicate.

What kind of paint did you decide would work best in space? I took a tiny watercolor kit. And I left it there. That was silly. I did bring the painting back, but I left the paints thinking that someone else might want to paint.

Watercolor is surprising. How does that work in zero gravity? Keeping track of your stuff is a difficult thing in space, when it all just floats around you. Painting with watercolor, you can’t just keep it in a cup and dip your brush in. I would squirt out of my drink bag this tiny little ball of water, and then I’d take the tip of the brush and just touch it to the water. Because of the way surface tension works in microgravity, you touch the tip to the ball of water and it just sucks it into the brush. Down here, it almost looks like the brush and the water are mixed together. Up there, it looked like this ball of water was floating around the brush. I had a little watercolor kit with the squares of color, and I would take the brush, touch it to the paint and it was like the paint wanted to suck the water in. You mix it around, put the brush back in and it sucks back onto the brush—a little ball of colored water now. And then the paper wanted it. It flowed so nicely. Like everything up there, it’s different, but in some ways even more fun.

Do you see commonalities between the artistic and scientific disciplines? Absolutely. I don’t think you can find more of a believer in the fact that these two things intersect so nicely—science and art, space and art, technology and art. I love it. We’re starting to realize that we need to go back to more of a Renaissance approach to education, where we don’t sacrifice the humanities for the science and technology. We’re at Ringling College and look at this place. The artists and the designers here are very creatively talented, but look at the tools they’re using. Ultimately, art is the universal communicator. The zeros and ones don’t always do it.

For the full interview with Stott and more musings from space, check future issues of SRQ magazine.

There are few better ways to start the day then with a hearty, filling breakfast. But the prospect of getting up early enough to make it happen can sometimes be enough to make the stomach turn. For the homemade breakfast experience without the hassle, hit up Bombon Café on Main Street, where breakfast sandwiches fill the stomach without emptying the wallet. Served on a croissant or choice of bagel, the Sausage, Egg and Cheddar breakfast sandwich is a straightforward staple destined not to disappoint. Starting with locally sourced sausage, the meat is scrambled into a pair of eggs cooked to order, with a helping of cheddar cheese from the local Amish community thrown in at the last moment for a melted, gooey binder. Pair with a pastry or peruse the extensive list of teas and coffees—and don’t be afraid to ask for tips from the staff or the regulars, who enter and exit the shop in a chorus of “Ciao!”. Eat there if you have the time, or take your morning pick-me-up in a brown bag to go. “Like at home,” smiles owner Caterina Mandelli.

Five Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate managers with the company’s operations in Florida have been recognized with membership in the NRT 2016 President’s Council for Managers. The NRT President’s Council for Managers recognizes the leaders of the top 19 percent of 789 offices within the national NRT network, based on their exemplary performance in 2016. NRT LLC, the largest residential real estate brokerage in the United States, is the parent company of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate. The NRT 2016 President’s Council for Managers includes the following members from Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate: Terrence Cook, East Manatee Office; Michael Taylor, Lakewood Ranch Office; Ellen O’Day, Longboat Key Office; Steve Bailey, Siesta Key Office; and Cindi Rogers, Venice/Englewood Office. All members of the NRT 2016 President’s Council for Managers have been invited to the NRT 2017 President’s Council Retreat at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa in Carlsbad, CA in August.

Ashley Brown, president and CEO of the Women’s Resource Center, recognized three 2017 Wonder Women at the organization’s annual Founders’ Legacy Luncheon, celebrating them as women leaders who have made outstanding contributions in volunteer and/or professional activities in the areas of business, community leadership, education, healthcare, entrepreneurship or lifetime achievement. This year’s Wonder Women are Susie Bowie, executive director of the Manatee Community Foundation; Dr. Jan Pullen, head of school at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal School; and Amanda Horne, co-owner of the Anna Maria Oyster Bar. Horne has volunteered and served on committees for hundreds of charitable events over the years, including Planned Parenthood, USF, PACE Center for Girls, and the Manatee Community Foundation, while Pullen was recognized for the strides made in both the upper and middle schools as Saint Stephens, in terms of education, modernization and athletics. Bowie received the distinction thanks to her strengthening the foundation’s relationship with the community and her innovative fundraising. The event also paid tribute to the organization’s founder Jan Entwistle who died in October.

Greg Sheller and his team have earned the RE/MAX Platinum Club Award, which recognizes high-producing RE/MAX associates based on performance. In 2016, fewer than five percent of all active RE/MAX agents worldwide received this award. Broker-Associate Sheller, buyer agents Roy Middleton and Karen Strickland and assistant Pam Klein handle residential and commercial real estate from Ruskin to North Port, including full property management services. Ninety percent of their business comes from repeat customers and referrals. RE/MAX Alliance Group is the #1 RE/MAX franchise in Florida for both transactions and sales volume. It is the #1 office in Florida for contributions to the Children’s Miracle Network.

[TODAY]GRAB BAG:
The Art of the Sketch: Sketching Class , May 12 – May 13, 1-3pm

“This sketching class intends to explore a variety of formats to develop skill in free hand drawing. The goal will e to achieve a comfort level in picking up a pen to draw while traveling, relaxing or, as many of us may need while pressed to come up with a concept for a project at hand.” Ron Haase All skill levels are welcome. The class is $50.00 for members and $75.00 for nonmembers. For more information and to register for the class please visit www.cfas.org All Sales Final

Center for Architecture , 265 South Orange Ave., Sarasota

[TODAY]MUSIC:
Outdoor Pops: Hits and Home Runs , May 12 – May 13, 8pm

Join the Sarasota Orchestra for a fan-friendly Outdoor Pops concert at the Baltimore Orioles' Ed Smith Stadium featuring American Idol season 14 runner-up Clark Beckham. Get yourself a hot dog, some popcorn, and sit back to enjoy the Orchestra in the outfield. Winning Pops selections, vocals by fan favorites and a spectacular fireworks display all contribute to an evening of hits and home runs. Friday May 12th 8pm and Saturday May 13th 8pm. For more information and Tickets please visit www.Sarasotaorchestra.com

The Center for Architecture Sarasota welcomes back the Modern Show this year with a special focus on Art and Architecture. Enjoy an exclusive art show and sale, tours, mini lectures, VIP parties and much more during this exciting and inspirational two-day event. All proceeds benefit the Center for Architecture Sarasota’s mission to teach, encourage and protect good design.

Girls in grades 5-9 from Sarasota and Manatee counties and their parents are invited to participate in a STEM workshop. The students’ day will focus on classes and presentations on robotics, coding, rockets, crime scene investigation, marine biology, and other technology related subjects. Please register at www.tinyurl.com/mn8shm7 or email Martha.Flynn@SarasotaCountySchools.net The deadline for registration is Wednesday, 10th.

Join the Sarasota YMCA at Michael’s on East for an evening of philanthropic celebration as they honor the 2017 Golden Heart recipients who have affected more than half a million lives, Sandy and Representative Vern Buchanan, Betsy Kane-Hartnett, Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy, Louis Robinson and Dick Vitale. This whimsical interactive evening will feature heart glass blowing, caricature artists, a live band and three amazing live auction items.

The 1st Annual Blue Jean Ball invites you to kick up your boots and get ready for a night to remember at the 1st annual Blue Jean Ball. This festive event will feature live entertainment by Kim Betts and the Gamble Creek Band, dancing, dinner, open bar, silent auction and a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $75 per person so act fast as seating is limited!

A stage reading of Sofonisba. The series will take place in the Bowne’s Lab. This is a free event but reservations are required New staged readings are by The Contemporary American Playwrights. For more information please visit www.floridastudiotheatre.org

Florida Studio Theatre , 1241 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota

[SOON]GRAB BAG:
Unclear Fear + Hate Through Art at the Heritage House , May 16, 7pm

The Hermitage Artist Retreat invites the public for a very special community program. Interventionist artists Kurt Gohde and Kremena Todorova will talk about their artwork Unclear Fear + Hate. The session will result in active participation by all who attend. Afterwards the group will move to the beach and create their own interpretation of the theme. Those who come should bring beach chairs and refreshments to enjoy the sunset. To register please email reservations@HermitageArtistRetreat.org

The Palm Houe, 6630 Manasota Key Rd., Englewood

[SOON]GRAB BAG:
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom , May 18, 11am

Orphaned during her passage from Ireland, young, white Lavinia arrives on the steps of the plantation kitchen house and is placed, as an indentured servant, under the care of Belle, the master’s illegitimate slave daughter. Lavinia learns to cook, clean, and serve food, while guided by the quiet strength and love of her new family. She attempts to straddle the worlds of the kitchen and the big house, but her skin color will forever set her apart from Belle and the other slaves. Meet the author at this reading. Reservations for this event are suggested.

Men,Whiskey and Watches - South County at the Suncoast Air Center, is raising awareness about child abuse in our community. Enjoy libations from local restaurants, whiskey tastings from select distillers, an assortment of fine luxury watches, premium cigars and live and silent auctions. A ladies sky lounge from Sun Bug will be featured at the event for all of the women in the room. Proceeds will support Child Protection Center’s mission in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse.

Suncoast Air Center, 400 Airport Ave. E Venice

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